Kimi Raikkonen said on Thursday he was looking forward to retirement after 19 seasons and 349 races in Formula One and would be less passionate about it than his wife Mintu.
Ferrari’s 2007 world champion, now driving for Alfa Romeo, took another race in Abu Dhabi on Sunday before abandoning it at the age of 42.
“I am looking forward to completing the season,” the Finnish ‘Iceman’, who made his Formula One debut in 2001, told reporters at Yas Marina.
“It’s good that it’s over and I’m looking forward to a normal life.
“I think definitely my wife will be more passionate about it,” added the 21-race poker-faced winner.
“I doubt the kids will really care either way, I think they’ll find other things to do that are more interesting. They like to come to a warm country and be in the pool and other things but they It’s nice to be here.”
After Raikkonen announced in September that he would retire at the end of the season, the Swiss-based team signed compatriot Valtteri Bottas from Mercedes as his replacement.
Alfa Romeo will mark their final race with a special costume tribute on the side of their car, “Dear Kimi, we’ll leave you alone now”.
Raikkonen famously uttered the phrase “just leave me alone, I know what I’m doing” on the radio while heading to victory in Abu Dhabi with Lotus in 2012, a remark that has sparked a variety of business and business interests. Social media gave birth to memes.
Finn, who has always been popular with fans, said that he is looking forward to a life without a rigid schedule.
“Right now I don’t see anything but the end of the year,” he said.
“We’ll see if some interesting stuff comes up, if it makes sense I’ll probably do it, but I don’t have any plans right now.”
read all breaking news, today’s fresh news And coronavirus news Here.
,